White House Expands Search for CFTC Chair Amid Stalled Quintenz Nomination

A Nomination in Limbo

Quintenz, a former Republican CFTC commissioner, was tapped by President Trump in February 2025 to chair the agency. Yet his confirmation process has ground to a halt. After a June hearing before the Senate Agriculture Committee, multiple votes were scheduled and then abruptly pulled in July, with no official explanation.

In public, the administration continues to back Quintenz. But officials privately asked Senate Ag to delay votes, while acknowledging to allies that the process has “hit gridlock.” For now, Caroline Pham continues as acting chair, the lone commissioner on what is supposed to be a five-member bipartisan panel.

Alternative Names Emerge

The impasse has prompted discussions around other potential candidates, particularly officials focused on digital assets policy. Among the names floated:

• Michael Selig, chief legal counsel to the SEC’s crypto task force and former partner at Willkie Farr & Gallagher.

• Tyler Williams, a Treasury Department adviser on digital asset policy who previously worked at Galaxy Digital.

Neither Selig nor Williams has commented on the speculation. A White House official, declining to confirm names, stressed that any additional vetting remains at an early stage.

Conflict-of-Interest Concerns

At the heart of Quintenz’s stalled nomination are questions over his ties to prediction market operator Kalshi. Quintenz previously sat on its board and disclosed assets worth around $3.4 million tied to Kalshi and a16z crypto. He has pledged recusals on related matters if confirmed.

Still, critics allege he sought information on Kalshi-related issues during his tenure — raising concerns about conflicts. Calls for a congressional investigation into his role have gained traction, further complicating his path.

Adding fuel, Gemini co-founder Tyler Winklevoss publicly urged President Trump to reconsider the nomination, arguing Quintenz’s relationship with Kalshi undermined confidence in the process. The White House has not addressed Winklevoss directly, but insiders say the lobbying has made an impact.

Agency Under Strain

The CFTC’s leadership vacuum comes at a critical moment. The regulator oversees trillions in swaps and derivatives markets and is expected to play a larger role in policing digital assets under legislation now moving through Congress.

But the agency is effectively paralyzed. With only Pham in place, legal experts warn of risks to quorum requirements and questions over the authority of a one-person chair. Industry stakeholders are increasingly concerned that without stable leadership, critical rulemaking on crypto and event contracts could stall.